LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 




JAMES A. FRACKER, 
First Noble Grand of Ridgely Lodge. 



J>outo£nit .*. 



A BRIEF HISTORY 



RIDGELY LODGE 

No. 74, I. O. O. F. 

Manchester, N. H. 



INCLUDING THE 

FIRST ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS 

DELIVERED FEBRUARY 1 7, 1 888 



AND 

• THE HIGHER LIFE . . . 

A POEM 

DELIVERED AT THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY MEETING 

FEBRUARY I9, 1892 



. 1892 



MANCHESTER, N. H. 

PRINTED BY THE JOHN B. CLARKE COMPANY 
1892 



H5h:: 



, /v 



COPYR-GHT, T892, BY RiDGELY LODGE, NO- 74.. Ii O. 0_ F., 
MA^^€H■ESTER, N. Hi 



RIDGELY LODGE No. 74, I. 0. 0, F. 



The undersigned, a committee appointed for that purpose at a regular 
meeting of Ridgely Lodge, February 26, 1892, have prepared this' little 
brochure, containing the first anniversary address and facts and statistics 
relating to the lodge from the date of its institution, February 17, 1887, 
to December 31, 1891 ; also a poem., "The Higher Life," dedicated by 
Past Grand James A. Fracker to Ridgely lodge, and delivered by him at 
its fifth anniversary meeting, February 19, 1892, 

The vivid presentation of the development of universal love and broth- 
erhood, the eloquent tributes to American Odd Fellowship, and to Wildey 
its founder and Ridgely its most accomplished and brilliant advocate, give 
to the poem more than local significance and render it of interest to mem- 
bers of the fraternity everywhere, while the facts and statistics relating to 
Ridgely lodge, now presented for the first time in a compact, convenient, 
and accessible form, will be of especial interest to its members and friends. 

WILLIAM G. EVERETT. 
THOMAS H. POWERS. 
WILLIAM B. BURPEE. 
FRED W. PILLSBURY. 
FRANK T. E. RICHARDSON. 



ADDRESS 



DELIVERED AT THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY MEETING, 
FEBRUARY I/, I 



BY PAST GRAND JAMES A. FRACKER. 



Noble Grand, I>adies, and Gentlemen : 

To-day is the first anniversary of the institution of Ridgely 
lodge. One year ago it came into organized being. It was 
no puny infant calling attention to its advent by incoherent 
cries and frantic struggles, — awaking commiseration by its 
utter helplessness. Spurning the swaddling clothes of infancy 
it sprang forth in the full flush of vigorous life, assuming at 
once all the responsibilities of manhood, bringing to the per- 
formance of its duties on the very day of its institution a 
brilliancy and power as gratifying to its friends as they would 
have been mortifying to its enemies, if any it had. Fortu- 
nately, however, there were none who were not pleased to 
welcome it and wish the young stranger a long, a successful, 
and an honorable life. 

The first lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
organized in this city was Hillsborough No. 2, instituted De- 
cember 21, 1843; the second. Mechanics No. 13, instituted 
November 21, 1845 J the third, Wildey No. 45, instituted 
August 8, 1866. For some time prior to the month of De- 
cember, 1886, the expediency of organizing a new lodge had 



ADDRESS 

DELIVERED AT THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY MEETING, 
FEBRUARY I/, 1 888. 



BY PAST GRAND JAMES A. FRACKER. 



Noble Grand, Ladies, and Gentlemen : 

To-day is the first anniversary of the institution of Ridgely 
lodge. One year ago it came into organized being. It was 
no puny infant calhng attention to its advent by incoherent 
cries and frantic struggles, — awaking commiseration by its 
utter helplessness. Spurning the swaddling clothes of infancy 
it sprang forth in the full flush of vigorous life, assuming at 
once all the responsibilities of manhood, bringing to the per- 
formance of its duties on the very day of its institution a 
brilliancy and power as gratifying to its friends as they would 
have been mortifying to its enemies, if any it had. Fortu- 
nately, however, there were none who were not pleased to 
welcome it and wish the young stranger a long, a successful, 
and an honorable life. 

The first lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
organized in this city was Hillsborough No. 2, instituted De- 
cember 21, 1843; the second. Mechanics No. 13, instituted 
November 21, 1845 ! ^^e third, Wildey No. 45, instituted 
August 8, 1866. For some time prior to the month of De- 
cember, 1886, the expediency of organizing a new lodge had 



6 RIDGELY LODGE. 

been under consideration by some of the prominent members 
of the Order. The interval between the institution of Me- 
chanics and Wildey lodges was about twenty-one years, and 
nearly the same length of time had expired without the insti- 
tution of another lodge. The existing lodges had prospered 
wonderfully ; they had overcome all opposing tendencies ; their 
membership was large ; their financial condition excellent ; they 
had become a power — a great power — for good, a beneficent 
agency whose worth no man could question. The infant in 
arms at the time Wildey lodge was instituted had grown to 
manhood ; a new generation had come upon the stage of action ; 
the population and wealth of our city had largely increased, 
and there was ample room for a new lodge and ample work, 
it was believed, for it to do. 

A resolution was introduced in Hillsborough, Mechanics, and 
Wildey lodges and adopted by each of these lodges in De- 
cember, 1886, granting the free use of their halls and para- 
phernalia for one year to any new lodge that might be insti- 
tuted in this city. On the evening of December 29, 1886, a 
meeting of Odd Fellows interested in the establishment of a 
new lodge, called by Past Grand Master Henry A. Farrington 
of Wildey lodge, was held in the anteroom of this hall. This 
meeting was informal, no organization being effected, and after 
some discussion, brother Farrington presented for signatures, 
a paper stating the object proposed to be accomplished, the 
subscribers thereto agreeing to use their best efforts for the 
establishment of a new lodge, if the names of one hundred 
acceptable applicants for membership could be obtained. This 
paper was signed at that time by James A. Fracker, E. B. 
Aldrich, A. W. Glines, Norman H. Colby, and Wilham G. 
Everett. It was understood that in the event of the requisite 
number of applicants being obtained, these parties were to 
withdraw from the lodges with which they were connected 
and form the nucleus of the membership of the new lodge. 
Brother Farrington and Past Grand John W. Mears of Hills- 



RIDGELY LODGE. 7 

borough lodge, also signed the paper, not as prospective charter 
members, but as aids to the enterprise, to which they pledged 
their active effort and support. How faithfully that pledge 
was kept most of you already know. They were indefatigable 
in their exertions, and the wise counsels which their experi- 
ence and knowledge of the laws and usages of the Order 
enabled them to give, made them invaluable auxiliaries. De- 
cember 30, brother Frank T. E. Richardson of Mechanics lodge 
added his name to the paper, and a canvass for the names of 
the one hundred acceptable applicants was commenced and 
vigorously prosecuted, most of the subscribers to the paper 
taking a copy and obtaining signatures. A few informal 
meetings were held in the office of brother Aldrich, the par- 
ties meeting to compare notes and exchange their lists of 
names, but for greater convenience the meetings were after- 
wards held in the anteroom of this hall. 

January 25, 1887, ninety-four names had been obtained, 
and a permanent organization, until the new lodge should 
be instituted, was effected by the choice of brother Ever- 
ett as chairman and brother Richardson as secretary. From 
this time on until the institution of the new lodge, accurate 
minutes of all the important business transacted at these 
primary meetings were taken, and have since been trans- 
ferred by our secretary to the book which contains the 
record of the proceedings of our regular lodge meetings, 
forming an interesting and valuable prefatory record, acces- 
sible and permanent. It was at this meeting that Ridgely 
was adopted as the name of this lodge. The subject of a 
name for the new lodge came up for consideration ; several 
names were suggested, none of which were entirely satisfac- 
tory, when the name of Ridgely was proposed — Ridgely, who 
with head and heart and hand, with tongue and pen and toil 
worthy of a Hercules, has done more than any other man to 
make Odd Fellowship what it is to-day — whose portrait with 
that of his great compeer, Wildey, gleaming from yonder 



8 RTDGELY LODGE. 

canvas, should be a perpetual inspiration, inciting us to follow, 
humbly though it be, in the path which he has trod. It was 
also voted at this meeting that the nominees for elective officers 
of the new lodge should be as follows : noble grand, James 
A. Fracker ; vice grand, Alonzo W. Glines ; secretary, Frank 
T. E. Richardson ; treasurer, Norman H. Colby ; trustee for 
three years, E. B. Aldrich ; trustee for two years, William G. 
Everett ; trustee for one year, James A. Fracker. The nomi- 
nees for noble and vice grands were constituted a committee 
to take the necessary steps to procure a charter and, with 
the addition of the nominee for secretary, a committee on 
by-laws. We had undertaken this enterprise in the belief that 
five Odd Fellows in good standing constituted the minimum 
number required for the charter membership of a new lodge. 
The three lodges in this city had been very liberal, having 
generously offered us the free use of their halls and parapher- 
nalia, and individual members had freely bestowed upon us 
encouragement and advice. Appreciating all this, and wishing 
to do nothing which would disturb these harmonious relations, 
having obtained what was thought to be the requisite number, 
we had studiously refrained from soliciting any of their mem- 
bers to unite their fortunes with the new lodge, and in a few 
instances applications from their members were discouraged. 
We had no desire to draw from their ranks, — to promote 
our gain by any loss of theirs. It was afterwards discovered 
that according to the revised constitution of the Grand Lodge 
the minimum number required for the charter membership of 
a new lodge in this city was fifteen. We were readily able, 
however, to obtain the additional number required without 
drawing from the Manchester lodges, and at a meeting held 
January 31, 1887, it was voted that the following names be 
added to the list of prospective charter members : Past Grand 
George A. Campbell, who subsequently occupied the station 
of past grand in the new lodge during the first term, Past 
Grand Master Luther F. McKinney, John W. Wells, John 



RIDGELY LODGE. 9 

Dowst, Fred F. Fisher, Herbert E. Lovell, A. M. Dunbar, 
James L. Brock, and H. L. Barrett. The name of George 
W. Nutter was subsequently added to this hst and that of H. 
L. Barrett withdrawn. The secretary was authorized to pro- 
cure a seal and all necessary books and papers for the use of 
the new lodge. 

February 2, 1887, the petition to the Grand Lodge for the 
issuance of a warrant for the new lodge was presented to the 
meeting and signed by all the petitioners. At this meeting 
the chairman, Brother Everett, stated that nominations for 
elective officers had been made at a previous meeting, but as 
the number of applicants for the charter had since been largely 
increased, it seemed only proper that all of the applicants 
should have an opportunity to express their preferences and 
other nominations be made if it was desirable. On motion 
of brother L. F. McKinney it was unanimously voted that the 
action of the previous meeting in the selection of the nomi- 
nees for elective officers of the lodge be confirmed. John 
Dowst received the nomination for trustee for one year, the 
name of the brother previously nominated for that position 
having been withdrawn. Many other meetings were held of 
which no special record was made, as the time was mainly 
occupied in scanning the lists of applicants. These lists were 
subjected to severe scrutiny, and all doubtful cases referred 
to investigating committees. Past Grand Master Farrington 
and Past Grands John W. Mears and George A. Whitney of 
Hillsborough lodge w^ere present at most of these informal 
meetings, and were of great assistance in many ways. Grand 
Secretary Joseph Kidder was also a not infrequent attendant ; 
his presence was always welcomed, especially when enlight- 
enment on some obscure point was desired. 

February 7, 1887, nearly one hundred and twenty applicants 
had been passed upon as suitable candidates for membership, 
and arrangements were so nearly perfected that it was voted 
that the institution of the new lodge should take place on the 



10 RTDGELY LODGE. 

17th of February, if that date would be acceptable to the 
grand officers, and that the grand master be so notified and 
requested to invite the whole board of grand officers to assist 
in the ceremony of institution. The nominee for noble grand 
was authorized to invite prominent members of the Order to 
be present at the ceremony, and Past Grand Master McKin- 
ney and Past Grands Mears and Whitney were constituted a 
committee to receive the grand officers and invited guests. 
It was also voted to invite the officers of Hillsborough, Me- 
chanics, and Wildey lodges to participate with the new lodge 
in the work of initiating candidates after the institution of 
the new lodge and the installation of its officers, brother 
McKinney being appointed a committee to convey this invi- 
tation to Hillsborough and Mechanics lodges, and brother Far- 
rington to Wildey lodge. 

At two o'clock in the afternoon on the 17th day of Feb- 
ruary, 1887, the petitioners for the charter for the new lodge 
assembled in the anteroom, and, the grand master having 
taken the noble grand's chair, and the other grand officers their 
proper stations, the petitioners were introduced into the lodge- 
room. The obligation was administered to the petitioners by 
the Grand Master, John A. Glidden ; the grand secretary 
read the dispensation authorizing and empowering the peti- 
tioners for the charter, and their successors duly and legally 
elected, to constitute a lodge of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows in the city of Manchester, to be known and 
hailed by the name and title of Ridgely Lodge No. 74, and 
after the usual ceremonies the deputy grand master pro- 
claimed the lodge duly constituted. The nominees for elective 
officers were then elected and the applications of one hundred 
and eighteen candidates were presented by the grand secre- 
tary, balloted upon, and the candidates elected. The installa- 
tion of the elective officers then proceeded in the usual manner, 
and all the appointed officers were duly installed. 

The attendance at these exercises was large, and from the 



RIDGELY LODGE. II 

close of the installation ceremony until seven o'clock the time 
was occupied by speeches from Grand Master John A. Glidden, 
Grand Warden Hermon F. Dane, Grand Secretary Joseph 
Kidder, Grand Chaplain Moses M. Burbank, Grand Herald 
Henry B. Home, Past Grand Representative Henry A. Far- 
rington, who had officiated as deputy grand master, Grand 
Guardian John W. Bourlet, Jr., Grand Representative Lewis 
Malvern, Past Grand Representatives McKinney, Leavitt, 
Robie, and other prominent members of the Order. A recess 
was then declared by the noble grand, and the grand officers 
and invited guests were tendered a banquet by the members 
of Ridgely lodge in the encampment hall above. The lodge 
reassembled at eight o'clock, and the necessary preliminary 
steps having been taken, the lodge was opened in the initiatory 
degree and the work of initiation commenced. 

It had been proposed by the charter members that the new 
lodge should rely upon itself from the start, and initiate its 
own candidates immediately after its organization. In a letter 
received from the grand master he suggested that the three 
old lodges should each initiate one third of the candidates, 
leaving the new lodge a passive onlooker of the proceedings. 
This program was not entirely satisfactory, as we felt confident 
of our ability to perform the initiatory work in a creditable man- 
ner, but the generous offer of the free use of the hall and 
paraphernalia by the other lodges, the good wishes, encour- 
agement, and assistance freely bestowed by some of their 
members, seemed to call for some complimentary recognition 
other than that which we had hitherto been able to offer, 
and with this in view the arrangement suggested by the grand 
master was modified in a manner satisfactory and pleasurable 
to all, by inviting Hillsborough, Mechanics, and Wildey lodges 
to unite with us in this ceremonial, the officers of each lodge 
to initiate about an equal number of the candidates who might 
be present to receive the initiatory degree. These invitations 
had been given and cordially accepted, and the program 



12 RIDGELY LODGE. 

was successfully carried out. Seventy-four candidates — the 
same number of candidates as there were then Odd Fellows' 
lodges in New Hampshire, and the same number as had that 
day been given to Ridgely lodge — were present to receive 
the degree. Hillsborough lodge was the first to commence 
the work, and was followed by Mechanics, Wildey, and Ridgely, 
each of the three older lodges taking a part of the number 
presented nearly through the initiatory work, and Ridgely 
lodge taking the remainder up to the point where the others 
had been left, and then taking all of the candidates through 
to the end of the degree. Never before in this jurisdiction, 
perhaps not anywhere, was the initiatory degree conferred 
upon so large a number of candidates at one time. The 
officers of the different lodges being brought into competition, 
each staff did its best, and the spectacle presented that night 
was one such as Manchester Odd Fellows had never before 
seen. You, Noble Grand, I know, and other officers and 
members, and all who were present on that occasion, will not 
soon forget it. It needs but a slight effort of the imagination 
to reproduce with startling distinctness the incidents of that 
scenic display. The officers of the several lodges marching in 
to the measured strains of the organ and taking their respec- 
tive stations ; the admission of the candidates ; the silence, 
broken by the sympathetic tones of the conductors ; the pro- 
gress of the candidates through all the stages of the initiatory 
degree — the old, old story, old yet ever new and fresh in its 
effect on the impressible mind — all reappear with the vivid- 
ness almost of reality itself. It was a grand spectacle : the 
four lodges joining in one grand ceremonial, uniting and bind- 
ing each to the other in the bonds of fraternal union, never, 
I trust, to be broken. The work of all the lodges was the 
subject of favorable comment by the grand officers and others 
present, and the floor work of Ridgely lodge, which was ar- 
ranged by Vice Grand Glines, was especially commended. The 
grand master in his report to the grand lodge refers to this 



RIDGELY LODGE. I 3 

occasion as a "red letter day in the history of our Order in 
this state," and further says, "the floor work of the new 
lodge was commended in the highest manner, and the secret 
work and charges were clearly and impressively rendered." 
The initiatory ceremonies being concluded, brief addresses 
were made by the grand master and the grand secretary, other 
speakers following, and the lodge was closed about two o'clock 
A. M. On Friday and Saturday evenings, February i8 and 
19, Ridgely lodge initiated thirty-nine more candidates, the 
night on each occasion being far spent before the lodge was 
closed. February 25 thirty additional applications for mem- 
bership were received and referred to investigating commit- 
tees. Most of these applicants were subsequently elected and 
initiated, and the first, second, and third degrees have been 
conferred upon all the initiates by Granite Degree Staff under 
the efficient management of Past Grand Charles W. Bailey of 
Wildey lodge. 

At the close of the first term Ridgely lodge had initiated 
one hundred and fifty-four candidates, making with the fifteen 
charter members and two admitted by card, a total membership 
of one hundred and seventy-one, and had paid nothing for 
sick benefits or watching. The amount of dues paid to the 
grand lodge was $165.65, a much larger amount than was ever 
before paid by any lodge in this jurisdiction at one time. 
The total membership of the lodge on the 31st day of De- 
cember, 1887, was one hundred and seventy-six, and the total 
amount paid for watching and sick benefits to that date, $200.50. 

One other incident in the history of Ridgely lodge I will 
briefly refer to. Grand Representative Lewis Malvern, in his 
remarks following the institution of the lodge, spoke in eulo- 
gistic terms of the illustrious Ridgely and expressed the hope 
that in the near future the lodge would honor his memory 
by placing his portrait on the wall of the lodge-room. This 
suggestion was received with general favor, and soon after- 
wards, upon motion of our secretary, brother Frank T, E, 



14 RIDGELY LODGE. 

Richardson, a committee was appointed to procure the portrait 
and a suitable frame. The committee performed the duty- 
assigned them, and on the evening of September 2, 1887, the 
portrait was unveiled by brother Frank W. Garland in the 
presence of a large assemblage, the exercises taking place 
immediately after the regular meeting of the lodge was closed, 
the public being admitted. The portrait was presented to the 
lodge in behalf of the committee by the sitting past grand, 
and accepted in behalf of the lodge by Past Grand Repre- 
sentative L. F. McKinney. An able and eloquent address, 
mainly devoted to the life-work and characteristics of Ridgely, 
was delivered by Grand Secretary Joseph Kidder, delightful 
music was furnished by the ladies' Rossini quartet, and the 
occasion was one of rare enjoyment to all who were present. 

I have attempted to present without too much detail the 
salient facts relating to the organization of Ridgely lodge, 
omitting nothing important for an address of this kind, and 
presenting nothing that it seemed undesirable to refer to. 
The limit of time which I had proposed to occupy has been 
nearly reached, but I should do injustice to the secretary of 
the lodge, brother Richardson, did I not refer in commend- 
atory terms to the faithful manner in which he has performed 
his arduous duties. It has been no child's play to organize 
and put into successful operation a new lodge with so large 
a membership as that with which Ridgely commenced its 
career. The amount of clerical labor alone has been very 
great, and most of this, of course, devolved upon the sec- 
retary, and has been accomplished only by the expenditure 
of a large amount of time and effort. In fact, from the mo- 
ment the canvass for applicants for membership commenced 
to the present time, the officers and members who have been 
actively engaged in the work of the lodge have been diligent 
and efficient in the discharge of their duties. 
■ Not the least pleasing of the experiences of the charter 
members was that of forming the acquaintance of Grand 



RIDGELY LODGE. I 5 

Master John A. Glidden. As an agreeable and cultivated 
gentleman, a faithful and remarkably efficient officer, discharg- 
ing the duties of his high position with rare tact and skill, 
the charter members of Ridgely lodge will always entertain 
for him feelings of warm friendship and regard. 

And now, Noble Grand, has it paid ? Have the charter 
members of Ridgely lodge and those v/ho assisted them 
been recompensed for the time and effort to organize the lodge ? 
Has the Order derived any substantial good — any pecuniary 
benefit — from its organization.^ In reply to these queries 
we can say that the effort made to increase the membership, 
promote the principles, and extend the influence of the Order 
has been in itself a substantial reward. There was pleasure in 
the doing. Only four of our charter members came from the 
lodges in this city. With our present membership of one hun- 
dred and seventy-six there has been a net gain to the Order 
here of one hundred and seventy-two members, equal no doubt 
in every way to a like number in any of the other lodges, and 
willing and ready to assume their just share of the responsi- 
bilities and work of the Order. This may be illustrated by 
the present composition of Granite Degree Staff. This staff 
is composed of members of all our local lodges. The mem- 
bership of Ridgely lodge is only 14 per cent of the total 
membership of these four lodges ; 37 per cent of the members 
of the staff working the first degree are Ridgely lodge mem- 
bers ; of the second degree 30 per cent ; of the third degree 
46 per cent. 

Just prior to the institution of Ridgely lodge, according to 
the official report of the grand secretary, the total member- 
ship of the three lodges in this city was one thousand and 
forty-eight; the cash investment of these lodges was $41,- 
106.79. As an inducement to establish a new lodge these 
lodges gave what I understand was considered the equivalent 
of ^275, in granting the free use of their halls and parapher- 
nalia for one year. Has there been any return for this in 



l6 RIDGELY LODGE. 

addition to the heartfelt satisfaction arising from the perform- 
ance of a kind and generous act ? The attention of the pubHc 
has been drawn to the Order to a greater extent than for 
years before. There has been a greatly increased interest in 
Odd Fellowship, not only in this city but elsewhere, and 
throughout the entire jurisdiction the Order has been incited 
to greater activity. The encampment branch of the Order in 
this city, whose membership was made up from the member- 
ship of the same lodges that made this grant of the free 
use of their halls and paraphernalia, have been large pecu- 
niary gainers ; they have gained in membership and receipts. 
Sixty-eight members of the new lodge are now members 
of the encampments. At ^lo each, the amount of the 
admission fee, Ridgely lodge members have paid to these 
encampments ^680; in addition to this there will be the 
annual dues at $2 per member, amounting to ^136, as a 
constant yearly revenue. A considerable number of our 
members have also united with the Rebekah degree lodge, 
taking their wives with them. The Patriarchs Militant branch 
has also received accessions from our membership, to just 
what extent I am not able to state. Add to all this the per- 
centage paid to the Grand Lodge, the charter fee, and donation 
to the New Hampshire Odd Fellows' home, and we have a 
total of over $1,000 paid in cash by the new lodge and its 
members through various channels in support of the Order 
during the past year, in addition to our own lodge fund. 

The prominent features in the history of this first year of 
the existence of Ridgely lodge, and some of my own personal 
impressions, have been presented in the full consciousness that 
this work might have been assigned to more competent hands ; 
but the committee thought that the preparation and delivery 
of the first anniversary address before the lodge properly de- 
volved upon the brother who was elected its first noble grand. 
Accepting the task as a duty, I have endeavored to perform 
it to your satisfaction. 



MEMBERSHIP OFFICERS. STATISTICS, ETC. 



The main facts in the history of Ridgely lodge during the 
first year of its existence are set forth in the foregoing ad- 
dress. The seventy-four candidates who received the initiatory 
degree in the evening of the day on which the lodge was 
instituted were, 



Charles E. Atkins, 
James W. Barrett, 
Charles H. Barrett, 
Orra Burpee, 
George N. Burpee, 
Charles O. Burbank, 
Rollin A. Baldwin, 
Luther C. Baldwin, 
Fred C. Baldwin, 
Henry A. Burns, 
Charies E. Bartlett, 
Winfred H. Bennett, 
Harry E. Blake, 
Andrew B. Bunton, 
Charles E. Bisco, 
George E. Cassidy, 
George A. Cann, 
Moses N. Colby, 
Charles W. Cheney, Jr. 
Frank E. Durgin, 
Frank L. Downs, 
Loring W. Downs, 
George W. Dearborn, 
James Erskine, 
Edgar W. Emerson, 



Charles H. Fish, 
Leslie M. Folsom, 
Frank W. Favor, 
George A. Greenough, 
Frank W. Garland, 
Horace D. Gordon, 
Henry H. Hinkley, 
Fred Holt, 
Charles Hazen, 
Frank A. Higgins, 
George F. Higgins, 
John J. Hanson, 
Clarence N. Hardy, 
George D. Jones, 
Edwin F. Jones, 
John M. Kendall, 
Byron iVL Leavenworth, 
Robert Leggett, 
James G. Lake, 
Frank C. Livingston, 
Frank T. McAllasttr, 
William T. Morgan, 
Franklin W. McKinley, 
James B. Newman, 
Harry E. Parker, 



Fred W. Pillsbury, 
Ernest P. Philbrick, 
Jeff T. Perry, 
Charles A. Perry, 
George E. Richards, 
Josiah C. Rollins, 
Frank S. Robinson, 
John W. Rowley, 
Lewis G. Spencer, 
Arthur B. Smith, 
Joseph Brodie Smith, 
George A. Stokes, 
George L. Stearns, 
Fred H. Thurston, 
Lucien B. Tyler, 
Thomas R. Varick, 
FYank G. Walker, 
Clarence M. Woodbury, 
John H. Wason, 
Thomas J. Wyatt, 
James S. Ward, 
Gilbert Wilbur, 
John P. Young, 
Carl E. York. 



i8 



RIDGELY LODGE. 



The forty-two names in the following list are the names of 
applicants who were also elected to membership on the day 
of the institution, but who received the initiatory degree at 
a later date : 



John W. Abell, 
Kirk C. Bartlett, 
George E. Barnard, 
Charles S. Brown, 
E. Irvin Caswell, 
Herbert J. Dick, 
George W. Eastman, 
George H. Eastman, 
Bartlett P. Elliott, 
John C. Ferguson, 
Henry Gray, 
Daniel R. Gilman, 
Hadley F. Higgins, 
George P. Hodgkins, 



Daniel Harley, 
Charles H. Harvey, 
Leander F. Humphrey, 
John H. Jarvis, 
Edward M. James, 
Charles H. Kimball, 
George A. Leighton, 
A. John McKelvie, 
Henry H. Morse, 
Edgar W. Poore, 
Willis C. Patten, 
Jesse B. Pattee, 
Almon C. Richardson, 
Arastus S. Ray, 



George L. Robinson, 
Charles D. Robinson, 
William H. Russell, 
Sam J. Smith, 
Albert A. Smith, 
James H. Smith, 
Edward S. Stratton, 
Elmer J. Taylor, 
Harry E. Webster, 
Frank L. Way, 
Malcolm C. Wilson, 
Willard E. Whitehouse, 
Aaron F. Whittemore, 
Milo B. Wilson. 



Frank H. Challis and Charles S. Durgin were also elected 
to membership on same date as the above-named brothers, 
and admitted upon deposit of card. 

The lodge adopted its first code of by-laws early in the 
first term, and it was soon afterward printed and distributed to 
the members. The tasteful and convenient arrangement of 
these by-laws was the subject of much favorable comment. 
Requests for sample copies were received from many lodges 
and members of the Order in this jurisdiction ; also from 
Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, and 
California. The following extract from the Odd Fellows' de- 
partment of the ''Manchester Union" is one of several favor- 
able notices of these by-laws by the press : 

"We are in receipt of a copy of the by-laws of Ridgely Lodge No. 74, 
through the courtesy of Past Noble Grand James A. Fracker. As a specimen 
of neatness and accuracy in printing and binding the book has no superior, 
and in the way of arrangement of matter and the ease with which any 



RIDGELY LODGE. I9 

law may be found through a copious index and intelligible references, is 
exceedingly gratifying to one who has occasion to study its provisions. 
Following the title page is the petition for the warrant or dispensation 
under which the lodge was organized, signed by the fifteen charter mem- 
bers. On the list are the names of brother Fracker, Dr. E. B. Aldrich, 
Dr. George A. Campbell, brother Frank T. E. Richardson, John Dowst, 
and Hon. Luther F. McKinney. The third page is a fac-simile of the 
warrant, in miniature, and contains all the names of the charter members, 
also the names of Grand Master Glidden and Grand Secretary Kidder. 
It is a unique page, and forms an entirely new feature in the by-laws of 
the Order. The constitution is that furnished by the grand lodge of the 
state ; but the by-laws are the work of Ridgely lodge, and exhibit great 
care and ingenuity in their construction. . . . The youngest lodge in the 
state has certainly the most attractive book of constitution and by-laws in 
the jurisdiction, and the provisions of the latter seem planned with a 
special eye to the comfort and protection of the members.'' 

Early in the term ending June 30, 1888, Grand Master William 
O. Folsom visited Ridgely lodge and witnessed the working 
of the initiatory degree. He was much pleased with the manner 
in which the work was rendered, and soon afterward the lodge 
received from him an invitation to work the initiatory and 
first degrees at the fifth semi-annual session of the Grand 
Lodge of New Hampshire for the exemplification of the work, 
at Concord on the i8th of April, 1888. The invitation was 
accepted and the work of the lodge was heartily commended, 
as will appear from the following extract from an article 
written by Grand Secretary Joseph Kidder, and published in 
the "Manchester Union," April 23, 1888: 

"The work performed at Concord on the i8th inst. was mostly of a 
model character. During a temporary cessation of active labor by Granite 
Degree Staff of Manchester, long so successful and popular, Ridgely lodge 
No. 74 improvised a staff in its own ranks to perform the needed work 
on its own members then in waiting for advancement. From the time of 
its charter, a little more than a 3'ear ago, it has enjoyed a high reputation 
for its beautiful and impressive initiatory ceremonies. Through this repu- 
tation, not less perhaps than personal knowledge, the grand master ex- 
tended a cordial invitation to render this work at Concord; and to save 



20 RIDGELY LODGE. 

expense to the grand lodge and keep within the limits of the appropria- 
tion for the semi-annual, he made the further request that the members 
of the same lodge give a sample of their proficiency in the first degree. 
Both invitations were accepted, as substantially the same brothers would 
take parts in both performances, with what result those present had 
ample opportunity to know. The initiatory work was surely in the highest 
degree creditable to the lodge and to the Order in Manchester. The pre- 
sentation reached a high standard and received hearty commendation. We 
are not to discriminate where all was so well given. The floor-work was 
especially fine and elicited applause. Warden Everett, Conductor Aldrich, 
Vice-Grand Glines, and Noble Grand Colby were at home in their parts, 
and gave great satisfaction. The latter was clear and accurate in explana- 
tion of the secret work, and performed his duties admirably under the 
trying circumstances. The past grand's charge, by brother Fracker, was 
a fine effort, and showed not only a clear comprehension of the text but 
a skill in rendition that only a few past grands possess unless they belong 
to the school of oratory. 

In giving the first degree the members of Ridgely lodge gained fresh 
laurels. While there was strict conformity to the ritual, as there 
must ever be under our laws, yet the effects were intensified by new and 
important situations and movements on the floor, illuminated by some 
brilliant representations not before witnessed in the progress of the degree, 
making it all the more real and impressive. It was the very general opin- 
ion that the degree was never before so finely given in the presence of 
the grand officers. Ridgely lodge and the Order may well feel proud of 
its achievements at the fifth semi-annual exemplification of the work at 
Concord." 



The anniversary meetings of the lodge have always been 
public and well attended, much interest being manifested in 
the exercises. The first anniversary address was given by 
Past Grand James A. Fracker ; the second by brother Edwin 
F. Jones ; the third by Past Grand Representative Luther F. 
McKinney ; the fourth by Past Grand James A. Fracker, and 
at the fifth anniversary meeting the poem, " The Higher Life," 
hereinafter printed, was delivered in place of a set address. 









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RIDGELY LODGE. 23 

From the foregoing statements it will be seen that the 

membership of the lodge December 31, 1891, was made up 
as follows : 



Charter members 15 

Initiations 235 

Admissions by card 4 

254 

Suspensions 5 

Deaths 3 

8 

Total 246 



The total receipts to December 31, 1 891, were $11,884.46 

Sick benefits paid i ,436.00 

Paid for watching 242.50 

Number of brothers relieved 65 

Number of weeks of sickness 348 



The lodge has also paid for burials, to families of brothers, and for 
other charities, $209. 



The record of Ridgely lodge for the first five years of its 
existence is probably unequaled by that of any other frater- 
nal organization for the same length of time, in the state of 
New Hampshire, and perhaps anywhere. The membership is 
composed largely of young men of good standing, intelligent 
and energetic, and who have a just pride in their lodge and 
the Order, and there is good reason to anticipate for it a 
prosperous and brilliant future. 



THE HIGHER LIFE 



A POEM 

DEDICATED TO RIDGELY LODGE NO. 74, I. O. O. F. 



DELIVERED AT THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY MEETING, FEBRUARY I9, 1892. 



BY PAST GRAND JAMES A. FRACKER. 



In a great city near a river wide, 

A Rich Man dwelt 'mid scenes of pomp and pride. 

A pillar of the church and of the state, 

His lot was envied and his influence great. 

With almost countless wealth at his command, 

His bounty he dispensed with lavish hand. 

He built a church, — a wonder and delight, 

Its tall spire gleaming in the dizzy height. 

A chime of bells put on, to advertise 

His many Christian virtues to the skies. 

That dwellers on the higher, heavenly plane 



26 RIDGELY LODGE. 

Might do him fitting honor when he came. 
From love of Self, to win the world's applause, 
He freely gave in many a noble cause, 
And ne'er refused to grant substantial aid, 
When from it fame or profit could be made. 
And that was all. He never felt the thrill 
Of Love or Pity all his being fill. 
But coldly good, his first and foremost aim 
To swell his fortune and prolong his fame. 
Lived on, respected, honored, far and near, 
His wealth and fame increasing year by year. 

One summer night, by weighty cares oppressed. 

The Rich Man sought his couch for needed rest. 

His heart was heavy and his brain aflame. 

The feverish pulses leaped in every vein. 

Swift sped the summons, and from far and wide 

Physicians hurried to the sick man's side. 

Even while met in consultation there, 

A Viewless Presence seemed to fill the air ; 

Impalpable yet real, with noiseless tread. 

And 'ere the morning came the man was dead. 

Freed from the grossness of this earthly clay, 

He sought at once the realm of endless day. 

Upward he soared until he neared the gate 

Where angel guardians ever watch and wait. 



RIDGELY LODGE. 27 

Still nearer pressed, until to his surprise, 
• He found he had no power to further rise. 
Vainly he struggled, put forth all his might 
In futile effort to attain the height. 
When suddenly with rapid downward flight. 
Appeared an angel robed in spotless white ; 
A messenger from the heavenly land. 
Holding a flaming sword in his right hand. 
Speechless and motionless, with eyes upraised 
The startled spirit on the angel gazed, 
Who met his look of terror and surprise 
With serenely sweet, compassionate eyes. 
" 'Tis vain," the angel cried, "thou canst not share 
The glories of the heavenly mansions there. 
From the great wealth at thy command 
'T was well for thee to give with open hand. 
But nobler, holier still hadst been thy part, 
If thou hadst given one coin with pitying heart. 
Self - love alone, — if from it doth not spring 
Wide love for all, — is an accursed thing. 
'T was love of self restrained thy upward flight. 
That held thee down from the ethereal height. 
The chain of Self with which thy soul is bound 
Must be thrown off 'ere joy and peace are found. 
Each thought and act hath molded thee in part, 
All that thou hast been makes thee what thou art. 



28 RIDGELY LODGE. 

Back, back to earth ! Resume thy garb of clay, 
The ' still, small voice ' shall teach the better way ; 
Purge thee from worldly cant, from ' Levite pride 
That passeth by upon the other side ' ; 
So shalt thou gain the sweet, exceeding peace, 
And anxious care and every longing cease." 
The humbled spirit listened ; learned its fate 
With abject mien and heart disconsolate ; 
Returned to earth, resumed the garb of clay, 
To tread again life's hard and stony way. 
It did seem hard : so near the heavenly shore. 
Yet backward thrust by stern, unyielding law. 

The years rolled on. Life's burdens still he bore. 

But with them came a peace unknown before. 

As from the dank, cold earth there springs to light, 

A lovely flower, pure, fragrant, white. 

So from the root of Self to light above. 

Sprang the fair flower of Universal Love. 

No longer by the Love of Self confined, 

His sympathy went out to all mankind. 

To those who needed most, the poor and old. 

He freely gave his service and his gold ; 

With patient love and firmness, not with wrath. 

Plead with the wand'rer from the better path. 

Wiped from the orphan's eyes the sad, salt tears, 



RIDGELY LODGE. 29 

Enriching with a noble Hfe the years, 

Until once more he left the garb of clay, 

And sought again the realm of endless day. 

There seemed a nameless splendor in the air, 

A strange and subtle sweetness everywhere, 

As, upward borne by some mysterious law. 

He neared the gate he failed to reach before. 

He did not falter there. He found his might 

More than sufficient to attain the height. 

Welcome !" the angel cried, " for now I see 

The crowning grace that led thee on to me. 

No longer bound by self-love's narrow thrall 

Thy heart respondeth to the needs of all. 

This brightest gem, this crowning grace outweighs 

All failures, all mistakes of other days ; 

All stains of sin and weakness, and all trace 

Of inward shame and sorrow I efface." 

The crystal portal opened wide at last, 

And through the gate the waiting spirit passed. 

Unmindful of the world's applause or blame, 

Be true, O Odd Fellows, in act and name. 

Do not forget while preaching brotherhood. 

That all have sprung from one Eternal Good. 

Strive for that crowning grace whose worth outweighs 

All frailties, all mistakes of earthly ways ; 



30 RIDGELY LODGE. 

Not with ambition for angelic light, 
But for the love that makes the spirit bright. 
True Odd Fellows in name and heart and deed, 
Fraternity thy watchword, Love thy creed, 
Forging the chain of Friendship, Truth, and Love, 
Thou, too, shalt scale the heavenly height above ; 
Thou, too, shalt pass the crystal portal through, 
And scenes Elysian open to thy view. 
Odd-fellowship, it is to thee we sing, 
Our choicest offerings to thine altars bring. 
Truth in thy language. Justice in thy laws, 
Thou pleadest well the heavenly master's cause. 
Thy teachings and thy precepts wise impart 
Strength to the brain, and courage to the heart ; 
We bless the temples to thy service raised. 
Where man is happier made and God is praised, 
Where Christian virtues all their graces lend, 
And Friendship, Love, and Truth divinely blend. 
Two names gleam forth from thy historic page. 
Beloved by youth, the pride, the joy of age; 
To Odd Fellows everywhere endeared. 
More than all other names by them revered, 
WiLDEY and RiDGELY, in their time and place. 
The noblest, truest, best of all the race. 
Wildey the strong : the man of iron will, 
With patient toil, rare tact, and matchless skill, 



RTDGELY LODGE. 

In this free land, by trial undismayed, 
Deep the foundation of the Order laid. 
Ridgely, a man of finer, milder type, 
Of speech persuasive and a scholar ripe, 
The trusted Sage, the captivating Youth, 
The heart of honor and the tongue of truth, 
His part fulfilling with consummate grace. 
We scarce can give to him the second place. 
Nor need we question which was first or last ; 
*' Life's fitful fever o'er," its struggles past. 
Like bright twin stars, whose pure, refulgent light 
Draws our thought upward to the starry height, 
Their memory and example prompt us ever 
To wider range of thought and high endeavor. 
With faith unshaken in the Eternal God, 
Let us press onward in the path they trod ; 
With tongue and pen proclaim where'er we can. 
The Fatherhood of God, the Brotherhood of Man. 



To all the friends now present at this meeting, 
Ridgely lodge extends its kindliest greeting. 
And now would give, ere the moment has fled, 
A thought to the shades of our own honored dead. 
Is there one of us all whose heart doth not mourn 
For the lingering clasp of a hand that is gone ; 



32 RIDGELY LODGE. 

For a bright smile now vanished, a voice low and clear, 
Falling softly and sweetly e'en now on the ear ; 
Like a sweet strain of music we cannot forget, 
Which lingers unbidden in memory yet. . [sight. 

Though the forms of these loved ones have faded from 
Doubt not they are with us, in spirit, to-night. 
To the absent a thought, — Where'er they may be, 
Heav'n guard them and keep them from all danger free. 
To our elder sister lodges, stanch and true, 
Wildey, Mechanics, and Hillsborough, too, 
Last but not least to Rebekah's daughters fair. 
The far-famed Social lodge unequaled anywhere, 
To each and to all this heart - felt wish we send, — 
Long may they live, their influence never end ; 
Unfading in beauty, increasing in strength, 
May they flourish, resplendent, a century's length. 



